Filan 'devastated' at Brooks cancellation

The former Westlife star was scheduled to perform at the venue as the supporting act for two of the concerts on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July.

It was announced on Tuesday that all five shows had been cancelled after Dublin City Council last week refused permission for two of the gigs, prompting Brooks to say it would be "five gigs or none at all".

Aiken Promotions said on Tuesday that despite "exhausting all avenues" in order to stage all five shows, "it was with great regret" that Garth Brooks would not be playing in Dublin this month.

Following the announcement, Filan wrote on his Facebook page: "I am so devastated that Garth Brooks has had to cancel his shows in Ireland.

"I am a huge fan and couldn't wait to see him perform. It was a dream come true when I was asked to support him.

"It's a sad day for everyone in Ireland who had been looking forward to these concerts for so long."

Country music star Nathan Carter was also set to be the supporting act for Brooks on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 July.

He said: "(I am) very sad to hear the news that Garth Brooks has had to cancel his shows in Ireland. I am a big fan and it is still a dream come true to have been asked to support him."

I think he played fair, I honestly think he was right in saying "five nights or none".

Garth Brooks fan

Meanwhile fans have been speaking about their disappointment at not getting to see their idol perform his first concert in Ireland for 17 years.

Mairead O'Hara and friend Janina Lieghio queued for four days at a shop in Lurgan in January so they could buy 12 tickets priced at £65 each.

Mairead told UTV: "We were really hyped up about going, so we are gutted. We've booked days off work and booked the train, then this all came.

"Because it's been so long from he was in Ireland, it was just the whole excitement of him coming back and he had built it up to be a big thing, everybody just wanted to be there."

Janina added: "I am angry, they shouldn't have sold tickets for the last two concerts on the Monday and Tuesday if they hadn't got the licence for it."

Fans have been quick to defend Garth Brooks after he said he would only play five nights in Dublin or none at all.

Fan Emma Rice said: "A lot of people will say he spat the dummy out, but if I was booked to go on either the Monday or Tuesday night and he said he was only going to do the three night, I would be gutted."